Alec, Cody and I left Missoula around 230 on saturday enroute to a town with a bar, 3 fly shops, 1 restaurant and only 45 people called Craig Montana. This town located on the Missouri river is known worldwide for the great people and even better fishing. We arrived in Craig set up our campsite (which was 5 yards from the rivers bank) and started a fire. There was just a little light left so Alec went out and fished the run right infront of our campsite. After a few cast the hooked up with a nice bow. We relaxed around the fire the rest of the night and got bed early to rest up for the day ahead.
Full Car
Alecs Rainbow
Cheers to kick off a great spring break
Day 2
We woke up sunday morning and decided to wade fish instead of float. Alec and I grabbed some coffee at the fly shop and headed up river. Cody had some other things to take car of and he was gonna meet us in a couple hours. We were able to wade out to an island that we knew was good fishing from prior trips. Alec started off hot nailing 3 fish on 3 cast while it took me a little longer but it was worth the wait when I hooked up with a 19 inch rainbow. It was a good fight, the fish made 3 good runs and I finally got him in the net.
Cody came alittle later but by the time he got there Alec and I had fished the spot pretty thoroughly. Alec ended up catching double digets while Cody and I only landed one each. We went back to camp for some lunch then headed back out for the afternoon. We went to a spot about a mile and a half above craig. I decided to just fish my way back to craig. I hooked up with a nice 17 inch brown about halfway back to craig that jumped 3 times right after I set the hook on him. I continued down river and the sun started to set. As soon as that happened and the wind died down fish were rising everywhere these fish were really picky and I couldn't get one to eat my size 22 Griffiths Gnat. While I was fishing I saw huge trout jump fully out of the water to eat a midge and my heart skipped a beat.
Day 3
On Monday Cody was able to get us a drift boat for the day from the fly shop he will be working at this summer "The Trout Shop". The day started off pretty slow but I was able to land one rainbow and Cody lost a BIG rainbow that he got about 10 feet from the boat. We stopped for lunch and Cody found a banana I had in the boat and tossed it into the river! He said it is bad luck to have a banana on the boat. We got a good laugh out of it and headed back out on the river. The day continued pretty slow but Alec and I were able to land another fish each on streamers and some more on dry flys. It was my first time out on a drift boat and I had a great experience.
Getting ready
Cody looking for rising fish
Day 4
I woke up Tuesday morning with my mind set on floating in my pontoon boat and despite the wind I decided I would still float(Not the best decision) Alec gave me a ride up stream, I set the boat up and got out on the river. Winds were blowing around 20 mph with gust of 30+. The wind blew me around all morning and I wasn't able to catch any fish. When I arrived back at the campsite the wind just stopped.. Alec and Cody said they had a great morning wade fishing and caught a bunch of fish. We had some lunch and Alec and Cody went back out fishing but I chose to stay at the campsite relax and have a few beers. Later that night we all went up stream, it was dead calm and fish were rising everywhere. Me and cody fished dries and each caught some fish and got our balls kicked by some big fish.
The Pontoon
Cody with a nice bow
little guy
Paradise
The release
Day 5
We woke up early Wednesday to calm conditions just like the night before. Alec headed out by himself and Cody and I weren't far behind him. I couldn't get a fish to eat a streamer that morning but Cody was getting a lot of action nymphing a seam that came off an island. I watched Cody loose close to 15 fish in a row(A new record I think) He finally landed a couple nice fish and let me give it a shot. I lost a couple fish myself but was able to land a nice brown. We met up with Alec back at the campsite who also had a good morning and decided we would pack up and head back to missoula.
We woke up early Wednesday to calm conditions just like the night before. Alec headed out by himself and Cody and I weren't far behind him. I couldn't get a fish to eat a streamer that morning but Cody was getting a lot of action nymphing a seam that came off an island. I watched Cody loose close to 15 fish in a row(A new record I think) He finally landed a couple nice fish and let me give it a shot. I lost a couple fish myself but was able to land a nice brown. We met up with Alec back at the campsite who also had a good morning and decided we would pack up and head back to missoula.
Fishing buddy
Action shot
Midges like my boot
After 5 days of sleeping in the bed of Cody's truck, no shower, and minimal food supplies I was ready to get back to missoula for a good meal and a hot shower. I couldn't have asked for a better start to my spring break though. Caught a bunch of fish, drank a bunch of beer and had great friends to do it with. Today we are all recuperating from the trip writing blogs, tying flies and relaxing. Tomorrow we plan to hit the river again. Either the North Fork of the Blackfoot for Cutthroat and Bull trout or Rock Creek.
The Mo
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